2015 DODGE JOURNEY check engine

rules for your community. To prevent ingestion by ani-
mals or children, do not store ethylene glycol-based
engine coolant in open containers or allow it to remain in
puddles on the ground. If ingested by a child or pet, seek
emergency assistance immediately. Clean up any ground
spills immediately.
Coolant Level
2.4L Engine —The coolant bottle provides a quick visual
method for determining that the coolant level is ad-
equate. With the engine idling and warm to normal
operating temperature, the level of the coolant in the
bottle should be between the “ADD” and “FULL” lines,
shown on the bottle.
3.6L Engine —The level of the coolant in the pressurized
coolant bottle should be between the “COLD” and
“FULL” range on the bottle when the engine is cold.
The radiator normally remains completely full, so there is
no need to remove the radiator cap unless checking for
coolant freeze point or replacing engine coolant (anti-
freeze). Advise your service attendant of this. As long as
the engine operating temperature is satisfactory, the
coolant bottle need only be checked once a month. When
additional engine coolant (antifreeze) is needed to main-
tain the proper level, it should be added to the coolant
bottle. Do not overfill.
Points To Remember
NOTE:When the vehicle is stopped after a few miles/
kilometers of operation, you may observe vapor coming
from the front of the engine compartment. This is nor-
mally a result of moisture from rain, snow, or high
humidity accumulating on the radiator and being vapor-
ized when the thermostat opens, allowing hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) to enter the radiator.
566 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

If an examination of your engine compartment shows no
evidence of radiator or hose leaks, the vehicle may be
safely driven. The vapor will soon dissipate.
•Do not overfill the coolant expansion bottle.
•Check the coolant freeze point in the radiator and in
the coolant expansion bottle. If engine coolant (anti-
freeze) needs to be added, the contents of the coolant
expansion bottle must also be protected against freez-
ing.
•If frequent engine coolant (antifreeze) additions are
required, the cooling system should be pressure tested
for leaks.
•Maintain engine coolant (antifreeze) concentration at a
minimum of 50% OAT coolant (conforming to
MS-12106) and distilled water for proper corrosion
protection of your engine which contains aluminum
components.
•Make sure that the coolant expansion bottle overflow
hoses are not kinked or obstructed.
•Keep the front of the radiator clean. If your vehicle is
equipped with air conditioning, keep the front of the
condenser clean.
•Do not change the thermostat for Summer or Winter
operation. If replacement is ever necessary, install
ONLY the correct type thermostat. Other designs may
result in unsatisfactory engine coolant (antifreeze)
performance, poor gas mileage, and increased emis-
sions.
Brake System
In order to assure brake system performance, all brake
system components should be inspected periodically.
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 567

CAUTION!
Do not use chemical flushes in your transmission as
the chemicals can damage your transmission compo-
nents. Such damage is not covered by the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Fluid Level Check — Four-Speed Automatic
Transmission
Use the following procedure to check the transmission
fluid level properly:
1. Park the vehicle on level ground.
2. Run the engine at normal idle speed for at least 60
seconds, and leave the engine running for the rest of
this procedure.
3. Fully apply the parking brake, and press the brake
pedal.
4. Place the shift lever momentarily into each gear posi-
tion (allowing time for the transmission to fully en-
gage in each position), ending with the transmission in
PARK.
5. Wipe the area around the dipstick clean to prevent dirt
from entering the transmission.
6. Remove the dipstick and determine if the fluid is hot
or cold. You can also read the transmission fluid
temperature using the Vehicle Information display in
the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) in
the instrument cluster. Refer to#Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)#in#Understanding Your
Instrument Panel#for further information. Hot fluid is
approximately 180°F (82°C), which is the normal op-
erating temperature after the vehicle is driven at least
15 miles (24 km). Hot fluid cannot be held comfortably
between the fingertips. Cold fluid is at a temperature
of approximately 80°F (27°C).
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 571

Severe Duty All Models
Change Engine Oil at 4000 miles (6,500 km) if the vehicle
is operated in a dusty and off road environment. This
type of vehicle use is considered Severe Duty.
Once A Month Or Before A Long Trip:
•Check engine oil level.
•Check windshield washer fluid level.
•Check tire pressure and look for unusual wear or
damage. Rotate tires at the first sign of irregular wear,
even if it occurs before the oil indicator system turns
on.
•Check the fluid levels of the coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder, power steering and transmission
(4-speed only) and fill as needed.
•Check function of all interior and exterior lights.
Required Maintenance Intervals.
Refer to the Maintenance Schedules on the following
page for the required maintenance intervals.
At Every Oil Change Interval As Indicated By Oil
Change Indicator System:
•Change oil and filter.
•Rotate the tires.Rotate at the first sign of irregu-
lar wear, even if it occurs before the oil indicator
system turns on.
•Inspect battery and clean and tighten terminals as
required.
•Inspect automatic transmission fluid if equipped
with dipstick.
•Inspect brake pads, shoes, rotors, drums, hoses
and park brake.
8
MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULES
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 605

Brake Control System, Electronic..............434
Brake Fluid.............................601
Brake, Parking...........................431
Brakes.................................433
Brake System............................433
Anti-Lock (ABS)........................434
Fluid Check...........................568
Master Cylinder........................568
Parking..............................431
Warning Light.........................303
Brake/Transmission Interlock.................415
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle........102
Brightness, Interior Lights...................228
Bulb Replacement.........................589
Bulbs, Light.............................107
Camera, Rear............................248
Capacities, Fluid..........................597
Caps, Filler
Fuel.................................489
Oil (Engine)...........................541
Power Steering.........................430
Radiator (Coolant Pressure)................565
Carbon Monoxide Warning..................104
Cargo Area Cover.........................284
Cargo Area Features.......................280
Cargo Compartment.......................280
Light................................280
Luggage Carrier........................289
Cargo Load Floor.........................282
Cargo Management System..................282
Rollaway Tonneau Cover..................284
Tri-Fold Load Floor......................282
Cargo Tie-Downs.........................283
Cargo (Vehicle Loading)....................282
Car Washes.............................576
CellularPhone...........................372
624 INDEX

Certification Label.........................491
Chains, Tire.............................468
Changing A Flat Tire.......................514
Chart, Tire Sizing.........................447
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) . .298
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety..............103
Checks, Safety...........................103
Child Restraint............................76
Child Restraints
Booster Seats...........................83
Child Restraints.........................76
Child Seat Installation.....................96
How To Stow An Unused ALR Seat Belt........94
Infants And Child Restraints................79
Install A LATCH-compatible Child Restraint.....93
Installing Child Restraints Using The Vehicle Seat
Belt..................................95
Locating The LATCH Anchorages............90
Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children.......86
Older Children And Child Restraints..........79
Seating Positions........................85
Using The Top Tether Anchorage............100
Child Safety Locks.........................32
Clean Air Gasoline........................481
Cleaning
Wheels...............................577
Coin Holder.............................275
Cold Weather Operation....................411
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance..............372
Compact Spare Tire........................462
Computer, Trip/Travel......................318
Connector
UCI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..370
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI)..........370
Conserving Fuel..........................316
Console, Floor...........................275
Console, Overhead........................250
Contract, Service..........................61510
INDEX 625

Door Opener, Garage.......................253
Driving
Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow Standing
Water................................427
Driving to Achieve Maximum Fuel Economy......316
DVD Player (Video Entertainment System™)......347
E-85 Fuel...............................485
Electrical Outlet, Auxiliary (Power Outlet)........266
Electrical Power Outlets.....................266
Electric Remote Mirrors.....................117
Electronic Brake Control System...............434
Brake Assist System.....................437
Traction Control System...................437
Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM)..............438
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control)........236
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)..............439
Electronic Vehicle Information Center
Instrument Cluster Display.................27
Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)......307
Remote Start...........................27
Emergency, In Case of
Freeing Vehicle When Stuck................532
Hazard Warning Flasher..................511
Jacking...............................514
Jump Starting..........................528
Overheating...........................511
Towing..............................535
Emission Control System Maintenance..........544
Engine.................................102
Air Cleaner...........................550
Block Heater..........................413
Break-In Recommendations................102
Checking Oil Level......................547
Compartment..........................541
Compartment Identification................542
Coolant (Antifreeze).....................561
Cooling..............................56110
INDEX 627

Flash-To-Pass............................227
Flexible Fuel Vehicles
Cruising Range.........................488
Engine Oil............................487
Fuel Requirements......................485
Maintenance...........................488
Replacement Parts.......................488
Starting..............................488
Flooded Engine Starting.....................411
Floor Console............................275
Fluid, Brake.............................601
Fluid Capacities..........................597
Fluid Leaks.............................108
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transmission..................571
Brake................................568
Cooling System.........................561
Engine Oil............................547
Power Steering.........................430
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts...........598
Fog Lights..............................225
Fog Light Service.........................592
Folding Rear Seat.........................211
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle.....................532
Fuel...................................480
Adding..............................489
Additives.............................483
Clean Air.............................481
Conserving............................316
Ethanol..............................481
Filler Cap (Gas Cap).....................305
Filler Door (Gas Cap)....................305
Gasoline..............................480
Gauge...............................305
Light................................312
Materials Added........................483
Methanol.............................481
OctaneRating..........................48010
INDEX 629